Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-10-06

and commences to climb the mountains
for Marshall Pass. Higher and higher |
we go, following winding stream,
then scaling the sides of some lofty
pinaole, until at last the train halts up
ON the summit of. Marshall lass. A
brief stop is made and all mount the
snow sheds to get a full view OF the
panorama spread at their feet. l'ear
at hand stands Mount Ouray, with his
bald head soaring nearly 4,oOO 1eet
above us. while at our feet is land
scape wonderful to behold In the dis
tance are the snow covered spires OF
the Sangrc de Christie range, While be-
low and around lis are mountain ana
dell. dotted with miniature parks OF
green made radiant by the many col
orcd leaves of the aspen, where Jack
Frost has given touch with his magic
brush. AS the descent of the mountain
is commenced looking from the car
window toward the gulch below four
tracks are discernable over which we
are to travel in the winding way neces-
sary to reach the vally Of the Gunnison.
Following down this stream the valley
widens and we pass numerous ranches
and herds of stock. Gunnison City is
finally reached and we alight from the
cars in front Of the La Veta hotel,
house which would be credit to any
of the larger cities of the east. Here
we find that the citizens of this enter
prising community have in waiting
repast such as one would hardly look
| for IN this nook among the mountains,
and full justice is done the subject mat
ter by all. Nodding brief farewell to
our newly made friends who remain
behind, and accompanied by few,
new start is made, and after passing
through several miles of valley dive
is made into the Black Canon, where
for several miles the whirling, swaying
train follows the sinuous course of the
river. its road-bed shelf blasted from
the solid rock which rises perpendicu-
larly on either side to a height of near
ly 5000 feet Below rushes the mad
wa tiers of the river, an emerald green
beaten into foam with it's constant
contact with the rocky sides of its prls-
on walls. Leaving Gunnison river at
Cimarron creek a short run is made to
station Of the same where the engine
is turned and our steps are retraced to
Gunnison, where a supper and dance
are rendered. The evening was pleas
antly passed in dancing, visiting, and
seeking information about this wond-
erful country, which has passed through
the vicissltudes incident to most min
ing towns.
Thursday the return trip was made
to Pueblo, and having accepted an in
vitation of the Colorado Land and Loan
company to visit the Sunny San Luis
Valley, the train was met at the depot
by representatives of that company,
and after the baggage was transferred
to the special train in waiting the party
were taken in carriages to the Grand,
the guests of said company, where
acquaintance was renewed with the
palatable dishes served by this excellent
establishment. AT eight o'clock in the
evening the journey commenced, and
when we arise in the morning it was at
Monte Nista,-Visions of mountains
and a glorious vision there is OF the
mountains which surround the San
Louis Park, a tract of land from forty
= | In ,rI. nf
two hundred miles long, and nearly
every acre of its surface susceptible of
, cultivation. Breakfast hour announced
and the party were ushered into a com
over by the fair ladies of the town, a
genuine trout breakfast was served.
After examining fine display ofgrain.
vegetables, etc, a ride was taken to the
North Farm, some five miles distant.
to view an immense wheat field, the
yield of which is estimated at between
30 and 40 bushels per acre. Back across
t the Rio Grandc and Il detour is made tC
take in some of the older farms, among
which were one or two genuine MeXi
g can ranches, with their long. low, adobe
buildings. The irrigating bitches next
e received attention, and the mode OF
procedure necessary to water the
Y crops just at the right time explained
e Returning to town dinner is served
J, after which an adjournment is taken
5 to the armory, where an informal re
Il ception, interspersed with speaking, l:
S indulged in. Partaking of supper
S which is counterpart of the two eX
G cellent meals previously provided by
Il the hospitable citizens of Monte Vista
t. the "sleepers" are again occupied, ant
s by invitation of the citizens of Durango
Il the journey to that seemingly out OF
/ the world place commenced. In tn
Z mountain a severe storm is raging, bu
= little do we know OF the dangers en-
e countered until the following mornin,
II between two stations twenty-five larg
l. rocks which had been washed dow
le from the mountain side, had been re
n moved from the track. and that a fore
k of section hands had preceded the trai
Is with hand car, shovcling off grave
ie and examining culverts. Thanks t
ie the everwatchful and careful officer
II in charge Of the train we arrived safel
p at Durango. Breakfast was foun
CT waiting at the hotel, after which, ac
le companied by number of our me-
10 acqualntances, run of twenty mile
is made up the valley of the Rio de la
IL Animas driver of Lost Souls.) Pas
- ing well cultivated fields, pleasar
ne farm houses, and scenes that, were
VI not for the vast mountains towerin
III above, would make one think he wei
u in the farming sections Of the easter
ne states, we ut last approach Grand cano